Story perspectives

Severe Flooding Forces 1,000 Evacuations in Northern Australia

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Heavy rainfall in Australia's Northern Territory has triggered flooding, prompting police to evacuate over 1,000 residents to shelters.
Katherine is experiencing its worst flooding since 1998, with the Katherine River reaching 19.2 meters.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed school closures due to the flooding.
Authorities warn of crocodiles in floodwaters and urge residents to stay away from waterways, noting that northern Australia is home to over 100,000 crocodiles.

History

Historical Context

In January 1998, Cyclone Les caused severe flooding in Katherine, Australia, with the Katherine River peaking at 20.4 meters, displacing over 5,000 residents and inundating 1,200 homes. This disaster prompted a state of emergency and significant government relief efforts. Recent heavy rainfall has again led to evacuations, underscoring the ongoing challenges of extreme weather in the region, home to over 100,000 crocodiles.

1 of 2

Story summary

Heavy rainfall in Australia's Northern Territory has triggered flooding, prompting police to evacuate over 1,000 residents to shelters.
Katherine is experiencing its worst flooding since 1998, with the Katherine River reaching 19.2 meters.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed school closures due to the flooding.
Authorities warn of crocodiles in floodwaters and urge residents to stay away from waterways, noting that northern Australia is home to over 100,000 crocodiles.

1 / 2